Oak Hill & Stormont – Northern Knights took the first of the day at Belfast, while Munster Reds took theirs in a slow burner at the Wicklow ground.
Double IP50 action meant Leinster Lightning won their toss and batted at the Ward exactly when North West Warriors did nearly 250 kilometres away.
Lightning soon found themselves at 36 for 2 when rain stopped play. Upon returning wickets quickly fell but a handy Gavin Hoey and Seamus Lynch partnership began a fightback.
More wickets brought an end to Leinster’s innings and 129 was always going to be tough defending – Knights just losing two wickets in the chase.
Meanwhile at Oak Hill things played out much slower. Munster Reds bowled tightly to have North West Warriors 123 for 7 but could only manage to bowl them out in the 49th over.
Chasing 232 looked challenging but the Reds kept themselves in the chase even as regular wickets fell around contributions from Oliver Metcalfe and Brandon Kruger.
This all set up an incredible finish with Player of the Match Mark Andrianatos sealing victory with a six in the final over to Munster Red jubilation.
MATCH SUMMARIES
Northern Knights vs Leinster Lightning, IP50, Stormont, Belfast — 5 June 2024
Leinster Lightning 129 (17.2 overs; Gavin Hoey 39, Seamus Lynch 26; Ruhan Pretorius 4-30, Cian Robertson 2-15)
Northern Knights 130 (20.2 overs; Jason Van Der Merwe 53, Sam Topping 45; Amish Sidhu 1-27, Gavin Hoey 1-34)
Northern Knights won by 8 wickets (DLS method)
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Munster Reds vs North West Warriors, IP50, Oak Hill, Wicklow — 5 June 2024
North West Warriors 231 (49 overs; Marcello Piedt 69, Jared Wilson 48; Josh Manley 3-26, Michael Frost 2-29)
Munster Reds 232-8 (49.2 overs; Mark Andrianatos 60, Oliver Metcalfe 53; Trent McKeegan 2-27 Andy McBrine 2-30)
Munster Reds won by 2 wickets
